Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira insists there is “no chance” he will return to the club for the final year of his contract.
The Uruguay international spent last season on loan with Fiorentina and had been expected to turn that arrangement into a permanent one, but has since been left in limbo.
Despite agreeing a fee of €15million (£13m), the Italian club then refused to pay that price and hoped to sign the midfielder for less having already agreed personal terms.
The deal then collapsed, leaving the 26-year-old facing an uncertain future, with the former Sampdoria star hitting out at “those acting in a bad way”.
Arsenal remain keen to offload him as Mikel Arteta oversees yet another busy summer, although finding a buyer could be difficult.
Torreira has not played for the north London giants since July 2020 and, speaking to El Telegrafo, the midfielder even went as far as to reveal his own asking price, suggesting Boca Juniors - the club he has asked to join - could not afford to pay it.
“There is no chance,” he said.
“From the beginning they told me that I didn’t have a place, so I don’t want to stay either because I suffered a lot, it cost me a lot to adapt and my idea is to go to Italy or Spain.
“What I wanted was to stay at Fiorentina, but it didn’t happen for various reasons, so we’ll look for a new direction.
“Boca is very difficult.
“It was difficult after what happened to my mother and I really wanted to go there, then I had a very good season and I have one year left on my contract with Arsenal.
“Any team that wants me has to buy me, which would be around €15m, so that’s why I see it as difficult, although I never lose hope. I feel a lot of love for that club and at some point I would like to play there.”
